Written by: Danette Miller, Vice Chairwoman SCA
The following is the introduction to a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon in Southwark, England, on January 7, 1855:
“It has been said by someone that “the proper study of mankind is man.” I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Chirstian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.
There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, “Behold I am wise.” But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass’s colt; and with solemn exclamation, “I am but of yesterday, and know nothing,” No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God….
But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe…. The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.
And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is that subject that I invite you to this morning. “
Spurgeon gave this sermon when he was only twenty years old. I pray that my son has this kind of heart after God, and that, as a young adult, he is capable of articulating his beliefs this well. It is possible.
As we’re preparing for our children to enter high school, while simultaneously preparing a high school for them to enter, I, as a mother and board member, need to review a few certain truths:
I’m either pursuing God, or I’m not.
I either love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, above all else, or I don’t.
Running after knowledge, success, or happiness is vanity – a chase after the wind which will never satisfy. The pursuit of these things is also a disorder of loves. Seeking God’s face, seeking to know Him, is the only path to satisfaction. Pursuing anything other than God is veering off His path. It is, as Romans says, exchanging the truth of God for a lie, and worshiping and serving created things rather than the creator. (Romans 1:25)
Our heart’s desire is to know God. Our heart’s desire for our children is that they know God, that God’s face shines upon them.
This is the mission of SCA in the grammar and logic stages, and this will be the mission of the rhetoric phase in high school. The pursuit of knowing God is the sole reason this high school will exist. Joshua charged the Israelites to cling to the Lord (23:8), and we are given the same charge. SCA will cling to God, to knowing Him through obedience, prayer, and education. If we loosen our grip on that or try to simultaneously cling to something else, then we ought not exist.
There are many schools that chase after many things. SCA is running after one thing – “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Our mission is simple: that we seek to know the LORD our God. We want our children to know the truth, depth, and vastness of God and of His love for them. Then we want them to go live as loved as they are.
This school is established to be an outpost of the Kingdom of Heaven. Our work here is to train Warriors in the way of the LORD and to pray for every student, teacher, and family within the body of Christ :
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
